DM Healthcare expansion plans challenged by shortage of Indian doctors in UAE; Salary demands main obstacle to recruiting new talent

There is an acute shortage of doctors in hospitals and clinics catering to the Indian community here in the UAE, according to Dr Azad Mooppen, Chairman, DM Healthcare.

Citing a need for a better salary structure, Dr Moopen stated that the number of new Indian doctors coming to the UAE has dropped.

“Even if we give a salary of Dh 25,000 per month, it is very difficult to recruit Indian doctors. Earlier when I was a lecturer at the Calicut Medical College, my salary was only Rs1,800. In those days, working abroad was a lucrative option,” said Dr Mooppen, himself a doctor turned entrepreneur.

The DM group plans to double the number of clinics, hospitals within the next twelve years and would need to retain and recruit many new doctors and medical staff, with plans to recruit at least 1,000 new staff on the anvil.

“It is a very big future challenge to recruit the required number of qualified and experienced Indian doctors. We are looking at various options,” Dr Mooppen added.

Dr Anu Shobha Jose, an Indian doctor working in Sharjah, adds: “It is a problem as many clinics and hospitals are desperate for doctors. At least four clinics in the National Paint area of Sharjah are lying idle for lack of doctors.”

She too cited salary as one of the key factors affecting recruitment.

Dr Prashanth K, Physician at Aster Al Rafaah, adds, “An Indian doctor needs to have MBBS degree plus a Post-Graduation Degree and five years working experience to get clearance from the UAE Health Ministry.

“Such an experienced doctor has many opportunities in India. The average salary of a fresh medical graduate has gone up substantially.

“In the UK also there are no new opportunities and there is a reverse flow of Indian doctors,” he added.